Poulan PP16H44A User Manual - Page 14

OPERATION ADD GASOLINE • Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING. WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. MOWING TIPS • Tire chains cannot be used when the mower housing is attached to unit. • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a guide. The blade cuts approximately an inch outside the runner (See Fig. 13). • The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming. • Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the machine. This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting. • When mowing large areas, start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs, fences, driveways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished (See Fig. 15). TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 12) When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • Depress the clutch/brake pedal and set the parking brake. • Place motion control lever in "NEUTRAL" position. • Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position. • Pull choke control out to "CHOKE" position for cold engine start. For warm engine start do not use choke control. • Move throttle control to midway between "FAST" and "SLOW" positions. • Turn ignition key clockwise to "START" position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to "FAST" position, wait a few minutes and try again. • When engine starts, slowly push choke control in. • Move throttle control to "FAST" position. • Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging clutch/brake pedal or attachment clutch switch. NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32° F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. ( 1 FIG. 15 • If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height. • Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing. • Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by selecting a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desired. • When operating attachments, select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used. a CAUTION: Before driving the tractor, install mower or remove front mower suspension bracket and suspension arms. 14